Plan aimed at helping track

Plan aimed at helping track

By DAVE McMILLION / Staff Writer, Charles Town

Mountaineer Raceway owners have devised a plan they say will alleviate any potential flood plain problems at the controversial go-cart track.

The racetrack, which has generated complaints about noise and other problems from neighbors, was built in a floodway without permits, said County Engineer William Teach.

There is one culvert near the racing area and Teach said he is concerned that the single pipe would not allow enough water to escape the area in the event of a flood.

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Owners of the track have come up with a plan to install seven additional culverts on the property to aid in flood relief, Teach said.

Track owners also will have to remove at least 132 square feet of dirt at the track, Teach said.

Teach laid out the plan Thursday night to the Berkeley County Commissioners, who have the final say in what kind of plan is implemented.

The plan will also have to be sent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for approval, Teach said.

In the meantime, an engineer representing the race track will have to determine exactly how much dirt must be removed from the track area to meet flood standards, Teach said.

The plan will be reviewed by Teach and then by the commissioners.

Residents who live near the track off Tablers Station Road continued to raise concerns about the track at the Thursday meeting.

Todd Geary, who lives about 100 yards from the track, said he is worried about people coming into the county, building whatever they want and then dealing with any problems later.

"It sets a pretty bad precedent," said Geary.

Commissioner Robert L. Burkhart assured Geary that the commission was intent on following through on the plan to address concerns at the track.

"If it doesn't happen, we will do something else," said Burkhart.

Martinsburg attorney Clarence E. "Cem" Martin, who is representing track owners, assured those in attendance that the work would be carried through "as quickly as possible."

John Miller, owner of the track, had argued previously that county officials knew all along he was building the track, and didn't tell him until it was too late to change his plans that he was violating county flood plain ordinances.